1. College of Business Administration MAPS Peer Mentoring - Spring 2016
S.M.A.R.T. Goal Planning
Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevantand Timely Goals
OVERVIEW
Goals play an important part in our daily lives, giving us purpose, direction and hope for
the future. However, not all goals are SMART and therefore cannot be achieved in the
timeframe that we hope to achieve them. SMART goals can help us to live a smarter life,
accomplish more in a specific timeframe and will make us better person in one way or
another.
S.M.A.R.T. GOALSDEFINED
S - Specific: There is value in a goal that has been properly defined. While vague goals
can point one in the right direction, you will want to make your goals as specific as
possible. When you know exactly what you would like to accomplish, the steps that you
must take to achieve your goal instantly become more clear and direct.
Bad Example of a SMART Goal: “I want to become healthier.”
Why?
Good Example of a SMART Goal: “I want to lose twenty pounds.”
Why?
M - Measurable: Having a specific goal in mind has you off to an excellent start, but
having a measurable goal is just as important. Measurable goals are goals that you can
clearly assess your progress towards by placing some sort of time numerical value on it.

2. College of Business Administration MAPS Peer Mentoring - Spring 2016
Bad Example of a SMART Goal: “I want more money.”
Why?
Good Example of a SMART Goal: “I want to earn a $100,000 salary.”
Why?
A - Attainable: The main point in setting a goal is to stretch your limits and aim for
success, but it should always be within reach of your current circumstances. If your goal
overall proves to be unattainable from your current circumstances, you will be left feeling
demoralized and unmotivated.
Bad Example of a SMART Goal: “I want to visit every country in the world this year.”
Why?
Good Example of a SMART Goal: “I want to visit every continent before the end of my
life.”
Why?

3. R - Relevant: This is one of the most important aspects of a SMART goal. Only set goals
for yourself that are important to your overall ambitions and your life’s purpose. Before
you commit to a goal, ask yourself if the goal that you are setting really matters to you.
Bad Example of a SMART Goal: “I want to collect every local phonebook since 1950.”
Why?
College of Business Administration MAPS Peer Mentoring - Spring 2016
Good Example of a SMART Goal: “I want to own my own home.”
Why?
T - Time-Sensitive: We often have strong intentions of completing a goal when we go out
of our ways to set one, but setting a goal with no deadline can quickly set you up for
eventual failure. If you are one that frequently procrastinates, it will be easy for you to
forget about the goal that you have set for yourself. Your goal needs to be accomplished
by a certain time and date, both short-term and long-term SMART goals.
Bad Example of a SMART Goal: “I want to buy a house.”
Why?
Good Example of a SMART Goal: “I want to save up a $100,000 down payment by July
2017.”

4. Why?
College of Business Administration MAPS Peer Mentoring - Spring 2016
S.M.A.R.T. Goal Planner
Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevantand Timely Goals
What is my goal?
Is my goal S.M.A.R.T.?

5. Specific: What specifically
will I achieve?
Measurable: How will I
measure it?
Achievable: Is it achievable
by me now?
Relevant: Is this relevant to
my larger goals?
Time-Frame: By what dates
will I achieve it?
College of Business Administration MAPS Peer Mentoring - Spring 2016
What resources do I needto organize?
Step: What: Where: When Will You
Start/How Often:
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